Apparatus for providing a cleaning composition

ABSTRACT

An apparatus, notably, an automatic self-service filling machine, for providing cleaning composition, preferably, a liquid laundry detergent composition and a method of dispensing liquid composition using said machine.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to apparatus, notably to automaticself-service filling machines, for providing cleaning compositions. Thepresent invention also relates to methods for dispensing liquidcompositions using said machine.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Consumer products, and more especially cleaning compositions, are moreand more diverse and differently adapted to the wide expectation ofconsumers. Each product is in itself very specific in term of target,i.e. a given composition will have a specific use and will be part of aspecific market. Furthermore, each consumer has its specific needs.Hence, this combination of needs and of choice leads to a complex andwide combination of desired product options.

However, due to the lack of space, it is rather difficult for consumersto find, in store, the specific products that will be specificallyadapted to their needs. Indeed, the majority of consumers' products aresold in packages such as containers, bottles, box and the likes whichtake lots of space on storage. For example, liquid detergentcompositions are typically sold in relatively large plastic containers.Storing products have thus a relatively high cost. Moreover, thisstorage is not convenient toward the efficiency of the product, as thetime decrease the compositions effectiveness. There is, thus, a need forthe elimination of the drawback linked to the storage of consumer'sproducts and notably, linked to the storage of cleaning compositions.

Furthermore, there are others drawbacks associated with the use of thesecontainers which are often heavy and difficult to carry. For example,all the containers, widely used to dispense cleaning compositions, aremade of expensive material, such as plastic, which are thrown away afteruse and which are, most of the time, in practice, not recycled,resulting thus in creating excessive waste. In addition to theproduction of waste material, compositions packages, are very expensiveto produce which renders the final product more expensive thannecessary.

Hence, packaging, storage and shipment weight of such containerscomprise a significant portion of the purchase price.

It would, therefore, be a significant advancement in the art to providemeans which would avoid the problem of packaging as set forth above, andwhich would be an adequate means for the consumers in term of deliveringa high choice of products in a safe and economical manner. Inparticular, it would be an advancement in the art to provide anapparatus which would be good for the environment, i.e. which wouldreduce waste, and which, at the same time, would provide the consumers away of customizing the products according to their individual needs.

Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, the present inventionrelates to a filling apparatus, for providing cleaning compositions,allowing users to perform all of the filling operations in a very simpleand automatic manner.

A main advantage of the apparatus of the present invention is, thus, toprovide customized cleaning compositions in a package. Indeed, theapparatus will allow the consumer to choose from different options tocustomize his composition according to its needs and preferences. Theuser will thus be able to choose his composition and to selectadditional and specific ingredients of his choice, which will be mixedto the cleaning composition.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the apparatusprovides cleaning compositions packaged in flexible containers. Suchflexible containers require less material, are lighter and can takedisruptive shapes; they are hence good alternatives to regular bottlesand containers. The present invention has thus the advantage of beingbetter for the environment than conventional plastic containers orbottles. This apparatus has also the advantage of providing a gain ofspace. Indeed, the shopping aisles do not have to store a large amountof different type of product in view of being able to satisfy all kindof consumers having specific need and preferences.

BACKGROUND ART

The following documents are representative of the prior art availablefor self-service apparatus capable of providing liquid compositions.

EP-B1-1507741, published on Feb. 23, 2005, is directed to apparatus andmethod for diluting a concentrate form of a product and to prepareaqueous cleaning compositions in refillable containers.

WO-A1-2005/097644, published on Oct. 20, 2005, relates to devices fordispensing drinking water in sealed container.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,818, issued on May 29, 1990, describes methods ofvending a containerized product using multiple filling of the samecontainer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is thus directed to apparatus for providing acleaning composition. This apparatus is an automatic self-servicefilling machine which comprises:

-   -   a. a flexible container (1) stored in said apparatus;    -   b. a dispenser (2) adapted to receive said container and being        capable of filling said container;    -   c. an user interface (3);    -   d. at least, a liquid cleaning composition;    -   e. at least, an additional ingredient to be mixed with the        cleaning composition.

The present invention also encompasses a method for dispensing cleaningcompositions comprising the step of:

-   -   a. Providing a flexible container from an automatic self-service        machine;    -   b. Selecting the desired ingredients;    -   c. Filling the flexible container with the cleaning composition        and with selected ingredients;    -   d. Sealing the flexible container;    -   e. Taking the flexible container out of the automatic        self-service machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a schematic of the dispenser of the apparatus of presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic of the external front view of the dispenser of theapparatus of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an automatic self-service apparatus forproviding a cleaning composition as well as a method for dispensing thecleaning composition.

The apparatus of the present invention have the characteristic of beingvery well adapted for supplying cleaning compositions. The apparatus ofthe present invention is an automatic self-service filling machine.“Self-service” means herein that the user of the apparatus will be theconsumers of the cleaning composition. The user will be the one toactivate the apparatus in view of performing all of the fillingoperations in a very simple and automatic manner. By “automatic”, it ismeans herein that all the steps will be done without any otherintervention of the user.

The apparatus of the present invention comprises as essential elements :a flexible container (1) which will be stored in said apparatus; adispenser (2) adapted to receive a flexible container and being capableof filling said container; an user interface (3); at least, a liquidcleaning composition; and, at least, an additional ingredient to bemixed with the cleaning composition.

The Dispenser

An essential element of the apparatus of the present invention is thatit comprises a dispenser (2). This dispenser is adapted to receive aflexible container (1), such as a pouch, and being capable of fillingsaid container.

Preferably, the dispenser (2) comprises a framework (4) able to storethe flexible containers (1), the liquid cleaning compositions and theadditional ingredients. The framework (4) is generally enclosed within acabinet (5). Such cabinet (5) is configured such that it can be placedon conventional stores without taking up unjustifiable amount ofvaluable space.

The dispenser (2) comprises one or more filling station (6) whereincontainers (1) can be filled with a cleaning product.

In one preferred embodiment, the flexible container (1) is placed in thefilling station (6), then filling nozzle (7) adds the cleaningcomposition to the container. In a preferred embodiment, several fillingnozzles (7) are present in the filling station (6). The other fillingnozzles (7) have the purpose of adding the optional ingredients.

Each individual filling station (6) has typically a source ofconcentrated product, and a source of additional ingredients and,optionally, a source of water.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one optional ingredient to thecomposition is delivered to the filling station (6).

Thus, in one more preferred embodiment of the present invention, aflexible container (1) is placed in the filling station (6) of thedispenser (2), wherein concentrated cleaning composition is filled intosaid flexible container.

Optionally, the product is diluted by the addition of water. In view ofobtaining a diluted product, the product comes to the flexible container(1) already diluted, or the filling step of the flexible container (1)with the concentrated product will be followed with a diluting step ofadding water. A diluted cleaning composition is thus obtained by theaddition of a predetermined amount of water.

Typically, the dispenser of the present invention will containreservoirs (8). Preferably, these reservoirs are located within thedispenser (2). These reservoirs (8) are filled with cleaningcomposition, preferably with concentrated cleaning composition, i.e.with a concentrated product form of the product being dispensed.Reservoirs (8) may also contain diluted product, i.e. already containingwater. In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser (2) of the presentinvention will also have reservoirs of optional ingredients. Typically,the size of the reservoir (8) will be comprised between 1 and 30 L,preferably between 2 and 20 L. The reservoir (8) containing the cleaningcomposition will have bigger size that the reservoir containing theadditive ingredients.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dispenser (2)will comprises means capable of pumping and carrying the compositionfrom the container to the filling station (6). In a preferredembodiment, the means, capable of pumping and carrying the product, arepump, preferably peristaltic pump (9).

In a preferred embodiment, the dispenser (2) comprises a system adaptedto mix the ingredients to the cleaning composition before the step offilling the flexible container. The mixing of these optional ingredientsmay occur in a specific reservoir, such as a specific chamber, or mixedduring the filling step of the flexible container or even after thefilling step of the pouch. Preferably, the mixing of the optionalingredients with the cleaning/composition will occur before the fillingstep of the pouch, more preferably by the use of a mixing unit. Hence,in a preferred embodiment, the dispenser comprises a mixing unit.

Thus, as mentioned above, the apparatus of present invention isparticularly well adapted for mixing at least two fluid components toform a final liquid mixture.

In one other preferred embodiment, after the step of filling the pouch,the flexible container will be sealed, preferably with a specific top orcap. The flexible containers are preferably filled from above, and thedispenser preferably includes a sealing station and lifting means toraise the container to the sealing station.

In one aspect of the invention, the dispenser is adapted to provide aflexible container (1) having a removable cap via a spout. In moredetail, the dispenser (2) is adapted to remove the cap prior the fillingof the flexible container, to fill the container through the openingwhich is normally closed by the cap, and to replace the cap after thefilling step.

This measure has the advantage of providing a flexible container that isclosed when the user will take it and which will avoid any risk ofcontamination of the neck region.

Preferably, the dispenser (2) of the apparatus of present inventionincludes a single or a plurality of stack of flexible containers (1).Preferably, the dispenser includes a feed mechanism for selecting anddelivering a container from one of the stacks to a filling and sealingstation. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible containers will beplaced on rails.

In a more preferred embodiment the dispenser (2) includes a plurality offlexible containers (1), preferably arranged in a magazine, and whichare selected one by one for the step of filling and for the step ofsealing.

In an even more preferred embodiment, the dispenser of the apparatus ofthe present invention comprises a pick-up cavity (10) wherein the useris able to take-out the flexible container (1) filled with the cleaningcomposition.

The dispensers of the present invention may typically be located in anytype of store such as supermarkets, warehouse clubs, building supplystores, convenience stores, mass merchandisers, or any other store thattypically sells cleanings and cleaners.

The Container

An essential element of the apparatus of the present invention is thatautomatic self-service apparatus comprise containers (1) adapted toreceive the cleaning composition. This container is stored into saidapparatus. Preferably, said container is stored into the dispenser. Anessential element of the present invention is that the container is aflexible container.

As flexible container, it is mean herein non-rigid container which isadapted to contain liquid, notably, liquid cleaning compositions and,preferably, adapted to liquid detergent compositions. Preferably, theflexible container (1) of the present invention is a soft and flexiblebag made of any material adapted to contain liquid.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible container is a flexiblecontainer or bag, and it is preferably made from a plastic film. In amore preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexiblecontainer is a pouch.

By “flexible” it is meant herein that the container may be flexiblydeformed, but that it is not resilient in the sense that it recovers itsoriginal shape when the deforming pressure is removed.

Preferably, flexible containers of the present invention are formed fromplastic film or films which are sealed together at the edge in order toform a closed container. Preferably, the container is provided with anopening which is sealed around the closure.

Most preferably the plastic film of the flexible container is made frompolyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polyethyleneterephtalate, vinyl, or laminate thereof.

Some extensively use laminate materials for the films are polyethylenetherephtalate/polyethylene, polyethylene therephtalate/EVOH (modifiedpolyvinyl alcohol produced by Nippon-Gohsei)/polyethylene andpolyethylene therephtalate/metalized polyethylenetherephtalate/polyethylene.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible container of the presentinvention has a wall thickness of from 50 to 250 micrometers.

Such flexible containers may have folded side gussets to allow expansionupon filling. Such flexible containers may typically have a capacity inthe range of 100 to 5000 ml, preferably in the range of 200 to 2000 ml,more preferably 300 to 1000 ml.

The flexible containers of the present invention can be of any shape,preferably rectangular or square, and, preferably, has a filling openingadapted for hermetic sealing and/or a sealable filling opening along oneside.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible container will have apredetermined cap, spout or nozzle which will allow the filling and/orthe sealing of said container.

The spout can contain a screw cap. In such a case, the removal andre-capping stations typically comprise a gripper to unscrew and re-screwthe cap, and means to lift the cap from the flexible container neckduring the filling thereof.

The closures of the flexible container can be achieve with a plasticspout as available on the market and for instance as described inWO2007/067029. These spouts can be of low density polyethylene. Inanother preferred embodiment, the spout of the flexible container may beclosed by means of a screw cap, or a flip-top cap.

In a preferred embodiment, the flexible container is a “squeezing”bottle, meaning thus that the user will be able to give the bottle asqueeze in order to release the composition packaged therein.

In another preferred embodiment, the flexible container contains apipette which can be filled with the compositions and which will allowsthe user to dose the cleaning composition. The pipette is, preferably,located in the cap of the container

In a preferred embodiment the dispenser describe above includes amechanical, air or vacuum device for separating the walls of theflexible container to permit the filling thereof.

Another advantage of the present invention is, hence, that thisapparatus provides flexible container that will be sealed, i.e.hermetically closed, having thus the advantage of avoiding any kind ofcontamination by comparison with refillable station know in the priorart wherein the user come with its own container.

Once filled, the flexible container is hermetically sealed, for exampleby ultrasonic welding, either at its top or at its bottom, andtransferred by a suitable mechanism to the pick-up cavity (10) of thedispensing drawer (2).

Flexible containers according to the present invention can be availablefrom different suppliers such as Huhtamaki, Alcan, Bischof & KleinPackaging or Kobusch.

The User Interface

Another essential element of the automatic self-service apparatus in tothe present invention is that it comprises a user interface (3).

Preferably, said user interface will be part of dispenser (2) and willbe located in the front of the framework (4) which constitutes thedispenser.

In a preferred embodiment, the user interface (3) allows the user tocustomize the cleaning composition he wants to obtain form the apparatusby choosing from a plurality of ingredients. The user is thus able tochoose and select the product he wants to have by selecting all theadditional ingredients he wishes to add to the cleaning composition.

The user interface (3) of the present invention can be constitutive of,for example, a screen, which may have a separate keypad or which may bea touch sensitive screen. This screen will allow the consumer to selectthe ingredient and products he wants, as well as the level he wants. Inone preferred embodiment, the screen could be a touch screen. In a morepreferred embodiment, the user interface (3) is a touch-screen.

Additionally, the screen could display instructions and informationabout the products, but also advertising or any other information thatmay be desirable to be communicated to the user.

In a more preferred embodiment, the touch screen will be adapted toprovide the user a selection of ingredients that will be part of thecleaning composition.

The Cleaning Composition

Another essential element of the automatic self-service apparatus of thepresent invention is that it comprises liquid cleaning composition.

As used herein, the term “cleaning composition” includes liquid fabricdetergents; fabric care agent; hand dishwashing agents or light dutydishwashing agents; machine dishwashing agents; liquid and rinse-aidtypes for household and institutional use; liquid cleaning anddisinfecting agents; car or carpet shampoos; bathroom cleaners; hairshampoos and hair-rinses; shower gels and foam baths; metal cleaners; aswell as cleaning auxiliaries such as bleach additives.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning composition contained in theapparatus of the present invention will be a cleaning detergentcomposition, more preferably a liquid cleaning detergent composition.

As detergent composition, it is meant herein a composition whichcontains at least a surface active material, such as anionic, cationicor nonionic surfactants.

The liquid cleaning detergent of the present invention can be any typeof detergent composition such as for example, laundry detergent, handdish washing detergents, automatic dish washing machine detergent, hardsurface cleaners, hand soap, toilet cleaners, floor cleaners, car careproducts, kitchen cleaners, bathroom cleaners, window cleaners, tilecleaners and other household types of cleaners and the like . . . .

In a much more preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedetergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition.

By liquids, it is meant herein a composition having the form of aliquid, a gel or a paste. The viscosity of the composition will becomprised from 20 to 3000 cps (when measured at 25° C. at 20^(s−1) or at60 rpm), preferably, the viscosity of the composition is from 100 toabout 1500 cps.

In view of obtaining a dilute product, water can be added to aconcentrated cleaning composition. The water could be added first,followed by the addition of concentrated product, or the concentratedproduct could be added first, followed by the addition of water, or thewater and cleaning composition could be mixed very quickly in a separatereservoir located near the filling station (6).

Therefore, the present invention has the advantage of either proving adilute or a concentrate composition. The composition will generally befresh, i.e. it is not intended to stay long on storage before beingsold.

The level of water present in the final composition is preferably from 1to 99% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 2% to 75%,more preferably from 3% to 50%; even more preferably form 5 to 45% byweight of the total composition.

In a more preferred embodiment, the composition is a liquid concentrateddetergent composition. Thus in a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the liquid concentrated detergent composition have an amountof water from 5 to 60% by weight of the total composition.

As a matter of fact, the level of water in the cleaning composition andthe viscosity of the composition will be dependant upon the kind of thecomposition which is desired by the user of the apparatus.

As an example, the composition can be a liquid diluted composition andwill thus have a mount of amount of water comprised from 60 to 99% ofwater by weight of the total composition and a viscosity comprisedbetween 200 and 1200 cps when measured at 25° C. and at 60 rpm.

The composition can be a concentrated liquid composition and will thushave an amount of water comprised from 40 to 60% of water by weight ofthe total composition and a viscosity comprised between 300 and 1500 cpswhen measured at 25° C. and at 60 rpm.

The composition can be a gel and will thus have a mount of amount ofwater from 25 to 40% of water by weigh of the total composition and aviscosity comprise between 4000 and 8000 cps when measured at 25° C. andat 60 rpm.

The apparatus of the present invention have the advantage of being verywell adapted to the concentrated composition, meaning thus that theapparatus is very well adapted to deliver composition having a highlevel of viscosity and/or a low amount of water. As high level ofviscosity, it is meant herein having a viscosity above 500 cps, as a lowamount of water, it is meant herein having a water content of less than50% of water by weight of the total composition.

All the measurements of viscosity are made using a Rheometer model AR1000® (Supplied by TA Instruments) with a 4 cm conic and a truncation of57 micrometer spindle in stainless steal (linear increment from 1 to 70sec⁻¹).

Example of Viscosity and Water Content of a Laundry DetergentComposition:

Viscosity in cps % of water of the Compositions: (measured at 60 rpm)total composition Dilute liquid: 320-450 64-66 230-350 73-76  750-110064-67 Concentrated liquid: 320-450 49-51  800-1400 45-49 700-900  9-11Gel: 4500-7500 32-38

The Additional Ingredients:

Another essential element of the present invention is that the automaticself-service apparatus for providing a cleaning composition comprisesadditional ingredients.

The additional ingredients mean herein any ingredients which can beadded to the liquid cleaning composition. In a preferred embodiment, theadditional ingredients are additional ingredients for liquid laundrydetergent composition.

These additional ingredients are chosen among a vast group ofingredients and, notably, can be selected from the group constitutive ofperfume, dye, bleach, color care ingredients, polymeric dispersants,viscosity modifiers, brighteners and the like.

In the present invention, the dispenser (2) is designed in a way thatthe user is able to choose the additives he wants to include in hiscleaning composition. The user will also be able to choose the intensityand/or concentration of these ingredients.

For example, the user of the apparatus of the present invention is ableto choose the scent of his cleaning composition as well as the intensityof the scent. For example, the user can choose among a gentle, balancedor intense lavender or camomile scent for its composition.

In another example, the user is also able to choose whether he wants toadd fabrics care compounds, or whitening agents such as a brightener orbleach.

By the combination of all the above mentioned choice made by the user,the apparatus of the present invention will be able to dispense a largeamount of different kinds of products, up to 100 different kinds forexample.

The apparatus has thus the advantage of providing all these choices ofproduct without having the disadvantage and the necessity of having tostore all these different products.

Method for Dispensing the Cleaning Composition.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method fordispensing a cleaning composition. The end-result of this method is aflexible container containing a liquid cleaning composition in the formof a ready-to-use product.

The method of the present invention for providing a cleaning compositioncomprises the steps of:

-   -   a. Providing a flexible container from an automatic self-service        apparatus;    -   b. Selecting the desired ingredients;    -   c. Filling the flexible container with the liquid cleaning        composition and with selected ingredients;    -   d. Sealing the flexible container;    -   e. Taking the flexible container out of the vending automatic        self-service apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the automatic selfservice apparatus is a vending machine.

In another preferred embodiment, the desired ingredients to beincorporated in the cleaning composition are selected with the use of auser interface (3). The user interface is preferably a touch-screeninterface.

In another preferred embodiment, the method encompasses the step ofmixing the selected ingredient with the liquid cleaning compositionbefore the step of filling the composition into the pouch.

In another preferred embodiment, the method of the present inventionincludes the step of diluting the concentrated compositions with waterbefore filling the flexible container with said composition.

An important aspect of the present invention is that the flexiblecontainer is stored in the machine and is provided automatically by themachine. Hence it is meant that the user, in view of obtaining thecleaning composition in the form of a “ready-to-use” product, will justhave to follow the instruction given by the machine, select the desiredingredients and take out the flexible container out of the dispenser.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the flexiblecontainer is filed automatically with the desired composition containingthe selected ingredients. Preferably, the flexible container of thepresent invention has the form of a pouch.

Therefore, the method of the present invention requires a user toidentify a product to be dispensed and take it out of the dispenser.

The final product, which is dispensed with the apparatus of the presentinvention, is preferably a “ready-to-use” product, which can be either aconcentrate or a diluted product. Preferably, the final product is aconcentrated laundry liquid detergent product.

EXAMPLES

These examples are meant to exemplify the method and the apparatus ofthe present invention but are not necessarily used to limit or otherwisedefine the scope of the present invention.

The following examples further illustrate the method of using theapparatus of the present invention as well as a method for providing acleaning composition.

Example A

In view of providing a laundry cleaning composition, several steps haveto be done but a user:

-   -   a) Activation of the apparatus, a pouch is thus provided;    -   b) Selection of the product to purchase, i.e. a laundry cleaning        composition;    -   c) Selection of the laundry load (i.e. Colored, Mixed or White        loads);    -   d) Selection of the perfume (i.e. Original, Citrus, Ocean or        Sensitive);    -   e) Selection of the perfume intensity (i.e. Gentle, Balanced or        Intense);    -   f) The flexible container is filled with liquid cleaning        composition and with selected ingredients;    -   g) The flexible container is taken out from the apparatus by the        user.

Example B

-   -   a) Activation of the apparatus, a pouch is thus provided;    -   b) Selection of the product to purchase, i.e. laundry cleaning        composition;    -   c) Selection of the laundry load (Colored, Mixed or White        loads);    -   d) Selection of stain categories that are present on the laundry        (Foods and drinks; Outdoor stains; Paint and glue stains; Body        soil stains ; Personal care product stains)    -   e) Selection of a diluted composition;    -   f) The flexible container is filled with water, with the liquid        cleaning composition and with selected ingredients;    -   g) The flexible container is taken out of the apparatus by the        user.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning ordefinition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shallgovern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. An automatic self-service apparatus adapted for providing cleaningcompositions comprising: a. a flexible container (1) stored in saidapparatus; b. a dispenser (2) adapted to receive said container andbeing capable of filling said container; c. an user interface (3); d. atleast, a liquid cleaning composition; e. at least, an additionalingredient to be mixed with the cleaning composition.
 2. The apparatussuch as described in claim 1 wherein the dispenser (2) comprises aframework (4) able to store the flexible container (1), the liquidcleaning composition and the additional ingredients.
 3. The apparatus,according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser (2) comprises a pick-upcavity (10) wherein the user is able to take-out the flexible container(1) filled with the cleaning composition.
 4. The apparatus, according toclaim 1, wherein the dispenser (2) comprises a system adapted to mix theingredient to the cleaning composition.
 5. The apparatus, according toclaim 1, wherein the user interface (3) is a screen which allows theuser to customize his cleaning composition.
 6. The apparatus, accordingto claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition is a laundry liquiddetergent composition.
 7. The apparatus, according to claim 1, whereinthe additional ingredients are chosen among the group consisting ofperfume, dye, bleach, color care ingredients, polymeric dispersants,viscosity modifiers, brighteners.
 8. Method for dispensing a cleaningcomposition comprising the steps of: a. Providing a flexible containerfrom an automatic self-service machine; b. Selecting the desiredingredients; c. Filling the flexible container with the cleaningcomposition and with the selected ingredients; d. Sealing the flexiblecontainer; e. Taking the flexible container out of the automaticself-service machine.
 9. The method, according to claim 8, wherein thedesired ingredient is selected using a user interface.
 10. The method,according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning composition is liquid laundrydetergent composition.
 11. The method, according to claim 8, wherein theselected desired ingredients are mixed with the liquid cleaningcomposition before being filled into the flexible container.
 12. Themethod, according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning composition isdiluted with water before being filled into the flexible container. 13.The method, according to claim 8, wherein the flexible container isstored in the machine and provided automatically by the machine.
 14. Themethod, according to claim 8, wherein the flexible container is a pouch.